Great question!

The curved line direction to the Kaabah (Qibla) on a flat map happens because of how the Earth’s round surface is flattened into a 2D map. Here’s a breakdown:

???? The Earth is a Sphere

The shortest path between two points on a sphere is not a straight line but a great circle (like a segment of the equator or longitude line). Muslims face the Kaabah in Makkah using this shortest path.

????️ Flat Maps Distort Reality

When you project the globe onto a flat map (like the common Mercator map), these great circle paths (shortest routes) become curved lines — unless you’re directly north or south of Makkah.

Example:

If you’re in New York, the Qibla direction (the great circle to Makkah) curves northeast, not directly east.

If you’re in Jakarta, it curves a little west of northwest, not just straight west.

???? Why It Matters

Digital Qibla apps and compasses use this great-circle logic to give the true direction.

On a flat paper map, drawing a straight line can give the wrong direction unless you’re near Makkah or using the right projection.

Summary

Curved Qibla lines appear on flat maps because the shortest path to the Kaabah (on a globe) is not straight when projected onto a 2D map.